Heaviest Person in the World to undergo WLS at 1,200 lbs.

I just got this in via Reuters today, this very important for all of us to follow, since it will also be the most extreme Gastric Bypass Surgery ever performed. I Hill keep you all posted! :

A Mexican man who at 1,200 pounds is possibly the heaviest person in the world hopes to travel to Italy for a life-saving operation to shed weight.

Manuel Uribe, bedridden for the past five years, cannot stand on his own and will need a special flight to take him from Monterrey, Mexico, to Modena, Italy, where a surgical team has offered to perform an intestinal bypass free of charge.

"I can't walk. I can't leave my bed," the 40-year-old Uribe, who weighs the same as five baby elephants, said in a recent telephone interview. "I'm trying to reduce my weight a bit right now so I can be in the right condition for the operation."

Uribe made an impassioned plea for help earlier this year on Mexican television, saying he weighed a more normal 290 pounds until age 22 and did not know what happened to him.

The broadcast drew the attention of doctor Giancarlo De Bernardinis, who visited Mexico with a medical team to examine Uribe in March.

Bernardinis, whose biggest patient to date weighed 770 pounds, told Reuters he plans a bypass procedure that will allow Uribe to pass food more quickly without so many calories being absorbed.Bernardinis planned to perform the surgery in Modena as early as this month, although a Mexican health official doubted Uribe would be ready for a trip to Europe that quickly.

Medical Mystery

Uribe's case puzzles doctors since his cholesterol and blood-sugar levels are normal, despite his extreme obesity.

"His heart works very well. He has some respiratory difficulty because of his obesity, but in strict terms, he's well," said Marco Anibal Rodriguez Vargas, the director of hospitals in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.

Rodriguez Vargas said Mexican hospitals still hoped to treat Uribe themselves, but added that Uribe would ultimately decide what to do.

Uribe said it was just a matter of time before he went to Italy: "Are we going? Yes. We're going. But the doctors will decide when." The operation would last four to five hours and would most likely require Uribe to spend one month in Italy.

"He will always be heavier than normal but certainly not like he is now ... We would be satisfied even if he weighed 330 pounds after two years," Bernardinis said.

No one has managed to find suitable scales for Uribe in years and estimates of his weight are made partly by tape-measure. Guinness World Records 2006 said it was aware only of living people weighing over 1,120 pounds.

The record for the heaviest man ever is held by Jon Brower Minnoch, who died in Seattle in 1983 after reaching 1,400 pounds. He was in his early 40s.

Uribe hopes to avoid that fate. His wife, horrified by his increasing size, feared the worst and abandoned him more than a decade ago.

"She left me because she must have thought I was dying," Uribe said."Thank God, I'm still alive and hopefully will be able to take care of this problem."

Comments

[Mike Bedford]

About 30 years ago I was in the hospital for some serious tests........I composed the following poem and never forgot it.
The poem's title is
"To Love"
To love when the going is rough;
Doesn't have to be all-that-tough.

It only takes a little of you;
To let the love come shining through.

Although there may be times of gloom;
Love can come - if you make the room.

Then peace and joy will be your gift;
And all of this will give you a lift.

So think about this every day;
And LOVE*** will be yours,
in every way...........
(***God's Presence)

This poem has been an inspiration to me for many years.......I hope it gives you a spiritual lift.
Sincerely,
Mike Bedford

[cn]

good luck on your many taks ahead of you.

[Mallory]

Hi. I hope you do see that things will get better and everything will go ok! If you really think about it 1,200 pounds is not that bad! at least your no 3,400 pounds! Look on the brightside! You probably are! Good luck! The bypass will surely help you!

all my love,
Mallory
Age 11. (12 in 2 weeks!)

[Anna]

I'm happy for you that you are taking the chance to turn your life around. its never too late when you are still living and that is how i see it. just constantly remind yourself the reasons you are helping yourself. and keep that confidence && the best of luckk!!

[SONIIA HENDERSON]

DOES MANUEL URIBE HAVE AN
E MAIL ADDRESS?

[TheMorbidMe]

I was also trying to find a way to contact him. But so far no luck... I will let you know when i go it!

[Keirsten]

Hey! I hope you lose the weight you need to and you get your sergery! Good luck and you have my wishes!

[Nikboo]

Hey! I hope u lose the weight u need to live, Good luck and god bless : )

[Rene Croft]

I saw a show about you last night on TV and you tried the Zone diet and lost I think 400 and some pounds. Why does the website still say you are 1200+ pounds. Did you regain the weight?

Just trying to follow your progress.

Rene

[fabeeo]

dude hang in there and u will pull threw peace

[fabeeo]

dude i hoop you doing ok i care man ..i hope you get to play football with your girl=friends kid

[Penny]

I am praying for you and am behind you all the way. You are an inspiration for many. Remember, there is a rainbow after every storm. You will find your rainbow! Keep believing in yourself! Best Wishes!

[William]

Our prayers are with you and your family. By the way, does anyone have an update to Manuel's progress?

[alex]

I hope you get the surgery you need to save your life and your true love. Good luck
Alex 10 years old
Peace out!

[Preshus]

i hope everything will work out for you , i will keep you in my prayers. You can do this!!

[islen]

i wish you the best le deseo lo mejor

[Yasir]

hey man! just keep your calm and don;t let yourself down just because you are over weight. I really hope that the surgery goes well for you. Peace

i weigh 1,427 pounds

[Roger]

Your poem really touched me you will be in my prayers! God is love.

[vickie]

hang in there man

I know that you are going to make it because God got your back and it is a reason that each and everyone of us is here, so soon you will know and you will be walking around doing whatever, so just hang in there. Praying for you.

[Vicky Williams]

Does Manuel Uribe have an email address? I really would love to contact him.

[christy johnson]

I would like to say that I admire you and am grateful for your story I have had to come to terms with my weight and hope that I may receive help as you have I just want to say good luck and my prayers are with you

[Mersadies Wilcox]

im so sorry i am 10 yrs old i feel sorry for u hang in there